Philadelphia Union have boosted their MLS playoff hopes with a 2-0 victory over Toronto at BMO Field this evening.

The visitors broke the deadlock after just eight minutes as Conor Casey nodded an effort past Joe Bendik to give Union an early lead.

Bendik was called into action once again shortly after the half-hour mark as he did well to keep out Sebastien Le Toux's effort.

He could do nothing to prevent Philadelphia doubling their advantage right on the stroke of half time, however, as Andrew Wenger gave his side a comfortable two-goal cushion at the interval.

The hosts were booed off at half time, but almost pulled a goal back 10 minutes after the restart when Mark Bloom's effort was tipped onto the post by Zac Macmath.

Nick Hagglund then came close to an acrobatic reply for Toronto, but his bicycle kick flashed narrowly past the post.

The woodwork once again came to Philadelphia's rescue with 15 minutes of the match remaining as Jackson Goncalves sent his header against the crossbar.

It was third time unlucky for the hosts in the closing stages as they once again came within the width of the crossbar of pulling a goal back.

This time it was Michael Bradley who rattled the woodwork having picked up his own rebounded free kick on a frustrating night for the Canadians.